[Episode 326] The Living and the Dead. [Conclusion]
As I opened the door to the conference room, all the directors stood up and bowed. Their surprised expressions were undoubtedly due to the presence of Joo Byung-hae, who had accompanied me.
Joo Byung-hae nodded with a gentle smile.
“I’ll just sit in the corner and watch, so don’t mind me. If it’s uncomfortable, just say so. Should I give up my seat?”
“Oh, no, sir.”
The electronics CEO quickly waved his hands, and Joo Byung-hae took his seat with a chuckle.
The board members exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unsettled.
It wasn’t because of me; it was definitely because of Joo Byung-hae. But why?
Once I took the empty seat at the head of the table, the board meeting commenced.
“We are now convening an emergency board meeting for Sunyang Corporation and Sunyang Electronics. The agenda is the appointment of the new CEO. Directors, please share your opinions.”
No one spoke, all eyes darting around the room. The CEOs of Electronics and Corporation, along with a few faction leaders, should have been the first to voice their support, but they remained silent.
Old foxes, playing hard to get.
This was the final silence before surrender, and they knew it was futile.
I alternated my gaze between the CEOs of Electronics and Corporation, smiling gently.
“Are you two still calculating? Or are you showing me the last shred of your pride?”
“Oh, no, not at all.”
Suddenly, both men stood up and began clapping.
Taking their cue, the thirty or so board members quickly followed suit, rising to applaud.
“I declare the motion passed unanimously.”
I stood up slowly and bowed.
Even though I had finally acquired the last two companies, I felt strangely calm.
As I straightened up, Joo Byung-hae, who had approached me unnoticed, patted my back.
“Well done.”
His brief words felt like something my grandfather would have said to me.
Yes, it had been a long, arduous journey.
As Joo Byung-hae stepped into the Sunyang Group chairman’s office, his eyes glistened with moisture.
Was he recalling the most glorious moments of his life? Or perhaps remembering my grandfather?
I walked slowly to the desk and sat in the chair. The worn leather of the armrests felt like my grandfather’s touch.
“How does it feel to sit in that chair?”
“It’s just okay. I should be overjoyed, but I feel indifferent.”
“That’s because you deserve it. If it were a position beyond your reach, you’d be ecstatic.”
Joo Byung-hae adjusted his fedora.
“Now that I’ve seen you in that chair, I’ll be heading back. Finish up here and come down sometime. We need to move your uncle’s grave to Yongin. I’m getting too old to be a caretaker.”
“Why don’t you stay and rest a bit since you’re here?”
I quickly stood up to stop him.
“No need. I’ve seen what I came to see.”
“Uncle, is that really all?”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“I don’t think that’s the only reason you came to Seoul.”
“You’ve got a sharp eye, kid. Haha.”
Joo Byung-hae pointed his cane outside.
“I came to deal with any troublemakers at the board meeting. And if Young-gi barged in, I was ready to shut him up.”
As expected, he was ready to act on my grandfather’s behalf.
“Uncle, don’t you think you’re underestimating me?”
“What?”
“I’ve already surrounded my uncle’s house with people. He can’t leave. And the electronics executives have already bowed to me. Today’s board meeting was just a formality. Haha.”
Uncle shook his head in disbelief.
“You’re a tough one. Just like your grandfather. I’m leaving. No need to see me out.”
He brushed past me and left the chairman’s office.
Alone in the office, I walked slowly, taking in the traces of my grandfather’s presence, when the intercom buzzed.
— Chairman, the division heads are waiting to greet you. What should I do?
Chairman… a title I’ll have to get used to.
“Send in the CEOs of Electronics and Corporation only. The rest can leave. I’ll meet them after the inauguration.”
As soon as I turned off the intercom, the two CEOs entered, bowing their heads.
“Congratulations, Chairman.”
“Save the congratulations for later. Let’s get down to business.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
The two sat before me, visibly tense.
“Sell all personal assets held by the Electronics and Corporation divisions, both domestic and international. Houses, villas, private jets, cars, memberships—everything. The same goes for all items inside the houses and villas. If anyone claims ownership, have them provide proof. Until then, not even a spoon or slipper leaves the premises. You have three days.”
I had just given a lengthy order to evict my uncle’s entire family from their home.
The two were taken aback by the uncomfortable directive but knew they couldn’t avoid it.
“We’ll also begin a comprehensive audit of the subsidiaries. Make sure the employees remain calm.”
They paled at the second order.
Wasn’t this a declaration to uncover the executives’ corruption?
“Don’t be alarmed. I’m not so rigid as to target all executives. The focus is on two people: Jin Young-gi and Jin Young-jun. Understood? I need your cooperation.”
They realized that taking over the group was just the beginning, not the end. The ultimate goal was the downfall of Jin Young-gi and his son.
Just as Chairman Jin Yang-cheol had erased the traces of his brother, Jin Soon-cheol.
“Yes, understood, Chairman.”
“If you handle these two well, I’ll entrust the companies to you. You already know I don’t interfere deeply in management, right? As long as you perform well, you’ll keep your positions for a long time.”
For salaried workers, job security is the greatest gift.
The two CEOs returned to their bright expressions, bowing repeatedly as they left.
As soon as they exited, Lee Hak-jae entered with a burst of laughter.
“Well, well, you look quite fitting in that chair! Haha.”
“Welcome.”
I started to rise, but he waved me off.
“Stay seated. That chair has finally found its owner after a long time. You need to get used to it.”
“It’s been a while since you’ve been in this room too, hasn’t it?”
He looked around, seemingly nostalgic, before speaking.
“The news is already out. Getting a lot of congratulatory calls?”
“I’ve blocked calls and turned off my phone. I plan to handle urgent matters first and take the congratulations later.”
“The first thing you should do is buy back the shares of Electronics and Corporation, right?”
“Yes. As soon as the official announcement is made, we’re ready to proceed. By the end of this week, the group will be vertically integrated.”
“You’re quick, as always. The media is in a frenzy too. The new captain of Sunyang Group. The praise articles are pouring in, especially from Hanseong Ilbo.”
“It’s quite cruel, isn’t it? They have to praise the one who ousted the father of their child.”
“It’s business. You have to endure even the cruelest humiliation.”
“They’ll face even greater humiliation soon. There won’t be any dealings with Hanseong Ilbo for a while.”
“For a while?”
“Yes, until Young-jun surrenders and begs for mercy. He’ll have to think of his children and surrender.”
“You’re ruthless. Wiping out the entire family.”
“It’s my grandfather’s way.”
Lee Hak-jae chuckled bitterly, sensing the storm of bloodshed to come.
“What about the subsidiary reorganization?”
“Anyone associated with my uncle or Young-jun needs to be cleared out. They’re bowing to me now to survive, but what can they do? The king has changed. If they had all resigned, I might have been swayed.”
“Just clear them all out. The chairman would have done the same. And… there’s one more thing.”
Lee Hak-jae hesitated before speaking.
“Yes?”
“The merger of Sunyang Group and HW Group. And at the top, Chairman Jin Do-jun. For that, I need to step down too. Haha.”
He’s a truly meticulous and thorough person.
He hasn’t forgotten the long-standing deal and is ready to let go at the precise moment.
“Shall we hold your retirement ceremony alongside my inauguration?”
“Cold-hearted kid. Shouldn’t you at least pretend to hold me back?”
“If you were someone who’d change your mind with a little persuasion, I wouldn’t have worked so hard to bring you here. You’re even throwing a tantrum. Haha. So, what are your plans now?”
Lee Hak-jae shrugged and smiled.
“Oh Se-hyun invited me to visit. He said living leisurely after handing everything over to you isn’t so bad. I’ll see if he’s right.”
Everyone’s different. Lee Hak-jae is someone who needs to keep working and thinking until the end.
“If you get bored at the resort, come back. I’ll keep a spot open for you. I’ll always be here to chat.”
Would vice-chairman be suitable?
“We’ll see.”
Lee Hak-jae stood up abruptly.
“Get a team together and send them over quickly. We need to discuss the merger. I’m off.”
He turned away without a hint of hesitation.
I leaned back in the chair, taking a moment to breathe. But this rest would be brief. I couldn’t miss the most opportune moment.
I picked up the phone and called Prosecutor Kim Ji-hoon.
— Hey! What have you been up to, not answering your calls… Never mind. Congratulations first. Congratulations, Chairman of Sunyang Group. Haha.
“Save the congratulations for later. I need you to do something urgent.”
— Something urgent? What is it?
“Go meet Jin Young-jun and give him a little scare.”
“Chairman, the prosecutor in charge is here to see you.”
“What? How did he find this place?”
“Well… he says he’s here to deliver a message from Jin Do-jun.”
Jin Young-jun hesitated for a moment before nodding. What could that newly appointed chairman want to say?
“Of course, a chaebol wouldn’t actually stay in a detention center. That’s why people say hitting the jackpot is when a chaebol ends up there.”
“You think they’ll make a fuss over something like this?”
“They’ll have to let it slide as a minor issue, right? Anyway…”
Prosecutor Kim Ji-hoon perched on the edge of the bed.
“You saw the news, right? Do-jun swallowed up the entire Sunyang Group.”
The young punk spoke informally, and Jin Young-jun suppressed his rising anger.
“Just get to the point and leave. You’re quite the chatty errand boy, aren’t you?”
“Okay. The 400 billion won worth of Sunyang Corporation stocks you bought under a borrowed name—those funds were embezzled from the company, right? Do-jun’s starting to dig through the subsidiaries today to find evidence of that 400 billion embezzlement.”
“These bastards…”
“If they find the evidence, I’ll split it into 100 billion won cases and prosecute you. Even if you’re lucky enough to get suspended sentences, I can charge you 40 times. You’ll spend your life in court, and the detention center will become your home. Oh, and forget about motels next time. You’ll be on a cement floor.”
“You little… Are you joking right now?”
As Jin Young-jun fumed, Kim Ji-hoon gave a chilling smile and spoke softly.
“Do-jun wanted me to pass on a message: Instead of the detention center, why not live off the group stocks you own? Take your time to think it over. Heh.”
The thought that Jin Do-jun’s relentless pursuit would never stop made Jin Young-jun collapse onto the sofa. He didn’t even have the strength to stand.
Once I confirmed everything was proceeding smoothly, I felt a sense of ease. It was time to visit someone who needed to know I had become the owner of Sunyang.
I pressed the intercom.
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Prepare the private jet. Right now.”
“Excuse me? Oh, yes. Understood. Where should I say you’re headed?”
“Moldova.”
Epilogue
“Everyone, wait here. I’ll go alone.”
“Chairman, that’s a bit…”
Ignoring the flustered aides, I picked up a black plastic bag.
“It’s fine. There’s no one around here. It’s safe.”
Kim Yoon-seok stepped forward.
“Chairman, you know this isn’t allowed.”
Seeing his earnest expression, I sighed.
“Then follow me from ten meters back. Will that do?”
“Yes, Chairman.”
With a dozen aides trailing behind, I walked on. Though it had been over twenty years, it felt as vivid as yesterday. I remembered the path through the woods to the lakeside clearly.
And there it was, the blue lake.
At that very spot, I opened a bottle of soju and lit a cigarette. I coughed but smoked slowly.
I could faintly hear the murmurs of the aides watching me. Even that sounded like the forest’s whispers. The place where Yoon Hyun-woo died and Jin Do-jun was born.
Where did Yoon Hyun-woo rest? In the forest by the lake? Or at the cold bottom of the lake?
Looking back, it was hard to tell if I lived for revenge or to take over Sunyang Group. Perhaps the line was when I stopped having nightmares of a bullet in my head.
I stubbed out the cigarette and poured the soju.
Half on the lakeside, half into the lake.
“Rest easy now. I think I’ve avenged your unjust death enough.”
I gazed at the blue lake for a long time, just as I did before I died.
It felt like I had finally laid Yoon Hyun-woo to rest.
Now, it’s time to forget the dead and return to the living.
As Jin Do-jun, not Yoon Hyun-woo…
The End